|
0 members (),
323
guests, and
114
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,523
Posts417,632
Members6,176
| |
Most Online4,112
Mar 25th, 2025
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 441
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 441 |
Emerging from the catacombs of darkness into the light...
Anyhow, I recently returned from my first ever holiday in Italy (I started learning Italian two years ago) and I had an awesome time.
I was mostly based in Rome but I took a few day trips away to Tivili (ended up crashing an Italian period drama charting the de Medici dynasty starring Dustin Hoffman and I was not invited to become an extra. I am still sad) and Orvieto. All I can say is that I walked over 30 miles or 50km during my holiday. Probably partly counterbalancing all the food and wine .
On the first day, I decided that I would do the Vatican so I did all the usual things (went around the Museums twice because there was so much to see!). The Sistine Chapel was beautiful but surprisingly small. After walking for around six hours, I foolishly decided to walk to the top of St Peters. THE PAIN. However, the view from the cuppola was amazing - I took a video on my phone and it was awesome - sunny clear blue skies. It was really nice to see the Tomb of St Peter and be present during a German Mass that was going on. However, whilst the cathedral was beautiful I didn't really get the "feel" for it. It felt too touristy.
SS Maria Maggiore on the other hand I loved and I was present (front row seats essentially) when they were breaking down the door seal for the Jubilee Year (lots of cardinals, bishiops, priests and two two Ukrainian Catholics (a bishop and a deacon I believe). I also ended up having a chat with Monsignor Guido Marini (the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations) who was really nice. I ended up complaining about the difficulty of the Italian grammar (?!) to which he replied "slowly, slowly, it will come to you". That trip was towards the end of my holiday and I did find a very nice church which was being adopted to serve the needs of the Eritrean or Ethiopian Orthodox Church (not sure which one).
I also visited the Pontifical Oriental Institute and saw / prayed at the beautiful chapel there along with Fr Samir Khalil Samir (former pro-rector) with whom I had a very pleasant long chat about Italy, history, the churches, etc. It turns out he used to teach Metropolitan John (one of the kidnapped Syrian bishops).
Last edited by AntonI; 12/07/15 02:41 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
Sounds wonderful! Imagine digesting all you tok in will take a while.
Such a blessing.
Don't know if we are from the same B'ham, if so, I'm at St George.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10
Moderator Member
|
|
Moderator Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10 |
Dear Pani Rose,
If I am not mistaken, AntonI, who used to post here many years ago, lives in England--therefore, I think he is in Birmingham, England.
Dear Anton,
Thanks for sharing! The eternal city is magnificent in so many ways. I thank God that I have been blessed to visit it.
Alice
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,724 Likes: 2
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,724 Likes: 2 |
AntonI, you are making me envious. I am already in trouble with Santa so I don't need any more marks against me this year. ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
